Friday, March 29, 2024

How To Check How Much You Have In Your 401k

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How Much Could Your 401 Grow If You Stop Contributing

How much retirement money you’ll have if you put $100 per week into your 401(k)

Now lets examine what happens to your 401 when you stop contributing and your employer does not make any matching contributions either. Using most of the same parameters as before, lets use our 401 Growth Calculator to see how much your 401 will be worth if you stop contributing at age 30, after you have already accumulated $10,000 in your account:

  • You are 30 years old right now.
  • You have 37 years until you retire.
  • You make $50,000/year and expect a 3% annual salary increase.
  • Your current 401 balance is $10,000.
  • You get paid biweekly.
  • You expect your annual before-tax rate of return on your 401 to be 5%.
  • Your employer match is 100% up to a maximum of 4%.
  • Your current before-tax 401 plan contribution is now 0% per year.

What happens to your previous 401 balance of $795,517? It plummets to $63,485 $732,032 less than before. When you stop contributing to your 401 and have no employer matching contributions, your total 401 balance in year 37 is 92% less. Procrastinating with your retirement savings and your 401 contributions means you have to work much harder and save even more to catch up to where you need to be in order to reach your retirement goals. Learn more about the cost of waiting to save for your retirement.

Leave Your 401 With The Old Employer

In many cases, employers will permit a departing employee to keep a 401 account in their old plan indefinitely, although the employee can’t make any further contributions to it. This generally applies to accounts worth at least $5,000. In the case of smaller accounts, the employer may give the employee no choice but to move the money elsewhere.

Leaving 401 money where it is can make sense if the old employer’s plan is well managed and you are satisfied with the investment choices it offers. The danger is that employees who change jobs over the course of their careers can leave a trail of old 401 plans and may forget about one or more of them. Their heirs might also be unaware of the existence of the accounts.

Move Your 401 To A New Employer

You can usually move your 401 balance to your new employer’s plan. As with an IRA rollover, this maintains the account’s tax-deferred status and avoids immediate taxes.

It could be a wise move if you aren’t comfortable with making the investment decisions involved in managing a rollover IRA and would rather leave some of that work to the new plan’s administrator.

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Determine Your Best Savings Rate

Given the many variables, it may help to consider general rules of thumb to determine savings levels and percentages. Saving 10% of one’s annual pre-tax salary, for example, has generally been considered an adequate saving percentage. However, because people are living longer and don’t want to run out of money in their eighties or nineties, a savings rate of 15% or even higher has been proposed.

A higher rate can also benefit those who didn’t start saving in their 20s and are now trying to catch up. Employers generally do match some of what their employees contribute to a 401, which can help in getting to a double-digit annual percent.

In terms of estimating market returns, real returns on U.S. stocks have averaged around 7% over the past century. Real bond return levels have been much lower at 2%, while returns on short-term funds have been around 1%.

Clearly, any asset growth will have to rely on stocks and a diversified portfolio of similarly risky assets such as venture capital, real estate, or private equity.

A common rule regarding asset mix is that the percentage an individual should invest in bonds is equal to their current age. Although this allows for a gradual progression to living off interest income at retirement, there is little need for a 20-year-old, who has many decades to ride out stock market volatility in pursuit of real returns, to have even 20% invested in bonds.

How To Access My 401k Online

How Much Should I Have in My 401k? (at Every Age)

Although youll have set up your 401K through your employer, your funds will be managed through a custodian or brokerage firm, for example, the likes of Charles Schwab or Vanguard. You should be able to log into your 401K account online through the website of the broker your 401K is with.

If you cant remember your login details, youll need to contact your 401K provider to get your password reset, or failing that you may be able to check your balance over the phone.

If youre not sure which custodian your 401K is set up with, speak to your human resources department at work. They wont be able to tell you your 401K balance, but theyll be able to direct you to the relevant 401K broker.

More on Charles Schwab vs Ameritrade

Also Check: What Does A 401k Match Mean

How Much Of Your Salary Should Go Into Your 401k

A common answer is as much as you can contribute. Instead of aiming for a numerical amount, instead consider a percentage of your salary. This way, your contributions will increase in line with your salary. Numerous financial planning studies indicate the ideal contribution percentage to save for retirement is between 15% and 20% of your gross income. You can put these funds into your 401k, Roth IRA, or other tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

If your employer offers 401k matching, consider at least contributing enough to get the full employer match. Otherwise, youre leaving part of your overall compensation on the table.

Read More:What is 401k Employer Matching & How Does It Work?

What Is The Average And Median 401 Balance By Age

401 balances can average roughly $6,000 at the age of 24 to more than $255,000 at the age of 65. Both average and median 401 balances can vary greatly depending on a few factors. This can include how long you have been saving for retirement or whether your company provides 401 matching, which is when your employer contributes to your retirement savings based on the amount of your contribution.

While savings are personal, the idea of a nest egg will likely make you contemplate what your financial future holds. Retirement might seem like a long way down the road, but time flies faster than we realize. And the earlier you start saving for retirement, the better off youll be later in life.

Knowing the average and median 401 by age can help you figure out where you stand and how you can be better prepared for the future. Heres what you can learn about the average 401 balance by age from Vanguards research on How America Saves in 2021:

Age

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Average 401 Balance By Age

Retirement savings grow with compound interest, which means account balances increase with time. Like other types of retirement accounts, money saved in a 401 grows like a snowball, with interest earning interest on itself. The older you are, the more time you’ve had to build up your savings.

Note: In 2022, employees can contribute up to $20,500 in their 401. Employees over 50 can contribute an additional catch-up contribution of $6,500.

With compounding interest, the earlier money is put into an account, the more opportunity it has to grow, and the greater the possible returns. In retirement accounts like 401s, building retirement savings early means a greater opportunity for growth.

Here’s the average amount people have saved for retirement by age group, according to Vanguard’s data.

$107,147

$29,095

While a large disparity in savings exists, women often need greater retirement savings than men to retire comfortably. Women tend to live longer and could therefore need more long-term care than men, which could require greater spending in retirement.

Calculate Your Retirement Earnings And More

How much money you will have if you max out your 401(k) every year

A 401 can be one of your best tools for creating a secure retirement. It provides you with two important advantages. First, all contributions and earnings to your 401 are tax deferred. You only pay taxes on contributions and earnings when the money is withdrawn. Second, many employers provide matching contributions to your 401 account which can range from 0% to 100% of your contributions. The combined result is a retirement savings plan you can not afford to pass up.

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How To Check 401k Balance

Knowing how to check how much is your 401 can help calculate your net worth. Additionally, checking your 401 balance ensures your investments are performing, helping you reach your retirement goals.

Monitoring your finances should be cemented in your overall personal finance strategy. Whether it be your budget, credit profile, or retirement accounts, knowing where you stand is essential in determining your financial health. Some, like your bank accounts and credit, are relatively easy to monitor. However, figuring out how to check 401 balances can be more difficult.

Like your car, your 401 needs regular maintenance. Without it, it may not perform as well or will no longer fit your overall investment strategy anymore.

You can find your 401 balance by logging into your 401 plans online portal and check how your 401 is performing. If you donât have access to your account online, contact your HR department and make sure your quarterly statements are being sent to the correct address.

Checking your 401 too frequently can cause overwhelm and panic when the market isn’t performing well. Dips and peaks are typical for any long-term retirement investment. Checking your 401 balances at least once a year will help you gauge how it fits in your retirement strategy.

Letâs look into how to check how much is in your 401, what to look for, and how often you should be checking.

You May Have A Roth 401 Option

Another choice to consider: a Roth 401, which almost 90% of plans offer, according to the Plan Sponsor Council of America. As with a Roth IRA, you are allowed to put in after-tax money in exchange for tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in the future.

Things get a little trickier if your employer offers a 401 match, as the match can only go into a traditional 401. The solution is to have one of each. Note that a proposal in the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, which has been nicknamed the SECURE Act 2.0, would allow workers to have employer matching contributions invested in a Roth 401.

One significant difference from a Roth IRA is that there are no income limits on Roth 401 contributions, so these accounts provide a way for high earners to access a Roth option. In 2022, you can contribute up to $20,500 to a Roth 401, a traditional 401 or a combination of the two. Workers 50 or older can contribute up to $27,000 annually.

But beware: Unlike IRA Roth conversions, you cant undo a 401 Roth conversion — the decision is irrevocable.

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Could You Increase Your 401 Contribution

How often you can adjust your 401 or 403 contribution is generally determined by your employer and your retirement planit may be once a year or as often as youd like.

If youre able, reducing non-essentials or allocating new income could allow you to bump up the amount youre saving.

A 1% increase only makes a small difference in your paycheckbut may make a big difference down the road. Consider the example below for a $35,000 annual income:1

Additional contribution

1 This example is for illustrative purposes only. It assumes $35,000 in annual income, 3.5% annual wage growth, 30 years to retirement, 7% annual rate of return and a 25% tax bracket. Estimated monthly retirement income calculations assume a 4.5% annual withdrawal in retirement. The assumed rate of return is hypothetical and does not guarantee any future returns nor represent the return of any particular investment option. Reduced take-home pay is accurate for the initial year and would change based on participants annual pay. Estimated savings amounts shown do not reflect the impact of taxes on pre-tax distributions. Individual taxpayer circumstances may vary.

2 Contributions are limited to the lesser of the annual plan or the IRS limit as indexed annually.

3 Some plans may not allow catch-up contributions to the plan.

This document is intended to be educational in nature and is not intended to be taken as a recommendation.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

Save Early Often And Aggressively

How Much Should I Have in My 401k? (at Every Age)

Yes, saving is hard. Its hard when you are young and not making a large salary, and its hard when youre older and big life expenses get in the way. However, the biggest threat to your retirement is inaction. Even if its uncomfortable to max out your 401k, do it if you can. If you get a salary raise, immediately put 50% of it towards savings if youre able. The earlier and more aggressively you can save, the better off you will be, and you may even surprise yourself with how much you are able to put away. Compounding can do wonders when there is a positive annual return as you can see from the high end of the potential savings chart, so the earlier you can save more, the farther your money will go.

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Contact Your 401s Administrators

Your human resources department or administrator will be able to help you check your 401 balance.

You have most likely been mailed statements of your 401 accounts yearly or quarterly unless there is a different address on file.

Speak with your representative to verify that your contact information and address are up to date to prevent future lapses in correspondences.

If your 401 plan’s administrator uses an online portal, similar to your online banking platform, they can help you get set up.

Online access to your 401 is excellent in checking your 401 balance and how your funds are performing. Some 401 platforms allow you to research the various funds, as well as reallocate your investments right on the platform.

See If You Have Enough Money To Retire Soon

Ask TIAA or Fidelity for a retirement income illustration

Your retirement savings account balance is one major source of income during these later-in-life years.

When youre close to retirement, ask for a retirement income illustration so you can compare income choices based on your total account balance. TIAA or Fidelity will give you a report that helps answer these questions:

  • How much income can I receive from my retirement accounts?
  • What income choices are available to me?
  • What is the best way for me to withdraw my retirement assets while I am retired?

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Average 401 Balances By Gender

Gender can also impact 401 balances. In particular, men have much higher average balances than their female peers.

This is explained by many factors, including the gender wage gap and the fact that women may have fewer years on the job because they are more likely to take time off due to caregiving responsibilities.

The table below shows the average and median 401 balances by gender.

Table source: How America Saves, Vanguard.

Gender
$107,147 $29,095

Unfortunately, women often face an uphill battle in investing enough for a secure future — especially since they tend to live longer than men and need larger balances as a result.

Develop Other Sources Of Income

How much retirement money you’ll have if you put $100 into your 401(k) weekly

Think about other ways you can secure sources of income in retirement outside of collecting Social Security and withdrawing from your 401k. This will not only prevent you from having all your retirement eggs in one basket, but it is also something to consider if your 401k balance is lower than youd like. Where can you invest and how can you optimize your portfolio for greater returns? Consider other ways you can supplement your retirement income, and speak to your financial advisor about what solutions could work for you.

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Average 401k Balance At Age 45

When you hit your 50s, you become eligible to make larger contributions towards retirement accounts. These are called catch-up contributions. Make sure that you take advantage of them! Catch-up contributions are $6,500 in 2022. So if you contribute the annual limit of $20,500 plus your catch-up contribution of $6,500, thats a total of $27,000 tax-advantaged dollars you could be saving towards your retirement.

Average Current Retirement Savings Balance

Unfortunately, many people are woefully under-prepared for retirement from a financial standpoint.

Here are some statistics on the median current retirement savings balances of Americans based on their age.

Families Between
70+ 12.3%

Workers save more for retirement as they get older and pay off other debts like student loans and a home mortgage.

At a minimum, many experts recommend saving at least 10% of your income for retirement. Dave Ramseys Baby Steps recommend saving at least 15% into retirement accounts after getting out of debt and building an emergency fund.

You can use a retirement calculator like NewRetirement to review your personal progress and project how long your nest egg will last. This tool is free but paid plans are available too.

Read our NewRetirement review to learn more about this interactive retirement planner.

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